Peggy Schirmer shares how true healing from reflux and chronic symptoms comes from tuning into your own body—not chasing one-size-fits-all solutions.
Trusting the Body and Embracing Individual Healing Paths
Josef Kreitmayer
Welcome. Here we are with another amazing session at the Reflux Summit. I’m excited to welcome Peggy Schirmer. Peggy is a certified naturopath and holistic gut specialist. She has over 10 years of experience, has worked one-on-one with more than 500 clients, and hosts a large YouTube community called the Gut Feelers.
Her approach encourages people to see their symptoms as a gift in disguise, to reconnect with their bodies, and to feel physically, emotionally, and energetically aligned. Peggy, it’s wonderful to have you.
Peggy Schirmer
Thank you, Josef. It’s a pleasure to be here. I’m glad we can make this more of a shared conversation. You’re an expert as well—you’ve actually lived with what we’re discussing. I’d love to explore this from both of our perspectives.
Josef Kreitmayer
Absolutely. Your full-body approach stood out to me, especially your perspective on healing crises and the idea of feeling your food. Can you elaborate on that?
Peggy Schirmer
Often, with digestive issues like reflux, people look for a one-size-fits-all solution. But from my experience, healing comes from many directions—food, thoughts, emotions, stress, sleep, all of it.
There isn’t one perfect fix. Even when I offer suggestions, I emphasize that everyone is the expert of their own body. Doctors want to help, but they only see a snapshot of you. You live with yourself 24/7. That matters.
Reframing Symptoms and Listening to Gut Feelings
Josef Kreitmayer
I’ve experienced that too. In my case, I had LPR, which made it hard to diagnose. Doctors offered standard answers that didn’t help. Eventually, I discovered what worked for me, and it was different from what helped others. That’s when I started thinking about this summit.
Peggy Schirmer
Exactly. One of the biggest blocks I see is the belief that something is wrong with you. We’re taught that symptoms mean our body is broken. That mindset weakens us.
Studies show that just being told you’re sick can lower your immune response. When we judge ourselves for not healing fast enough, it creates resistance. That fight-or-flight state keeps us from healing.
Healing begins when we shift from “I’m broken” to “This is guidance.” It’s a message from the body.
Josef Kreitmayer
Yes, I felt that shift. For me, posture and breathing were game changers. But the deeper shift came when I stopped seeing reflux as the enemy and started listening to my body.
Peggy Schirmer
That’s a huge part of it. Many clients do everything “right” and still suffer. Then they blame themselves.
But what if your reflux is trying to tell you something? That shift—from resistance to curiosity—is transformative. That’s what I call the gift in disguise. Every symptom holds information.
Healing Through Acceptance and Reconnection
Josef Kreitmayer
I made major life changes when I reframed my symptoms—leaving a relationship, changing careers, even moving countries. It wasn’t instant healing, but it gave me clarity. And even now, I realize how much I still don’t know.
Peggy Schirmer
Exactly. Sometimes we try so hard to fix things that we forget to listen.
If you’re in a state of judgment—“I should be healed by now”—you can’t hear the body’s messages. Healing begins when the noise quiets and reconnection happens.
Josef Kreitmayer
I started using flare-ups as signals to take action—walking, breathing deeply. Even celery juice helped me, but only when strained completely. Small changes mattered.
Peggy Schirmer
That’s a great example. Listening only works when you’re open. If you’re stressed, you can’t hear guidance.
That’s why meditation, silence, and breathwork matter. They help you access your inner compass. When you shift from fixing to listening, everything changes.
Healing Through Acceptance and the Parasympathetic State
Josef Kreitmayer
I think of it as a conversation. Saying “no” to something outside is saying “yes” to myself.
Peggy Schirmer
Beautifully said. And even when you choose the chips or the wine, it’s not wrong.
The self-judgment does more harm than the food. Healing happens in a soft, relaxed state—the parasympathetic nervous system—not through control or fear.
Josef Kreitmayer
We really need ways to pause and reconnect in busy lives.
Peggy Schirmer
Yes. People are craving that pause. I released a simple meditation for my community, and the response was overwhelming.
The words we speak to our bodies matter. Our bodies hear them. Words are energy.
Guided Body Awareness and Cellular Affirmation Practice
Peggy Schirmer
Let’s do a short practice. If you’re not driving, place your hands on your heart.
Take a deep breath in through your nose. Hold it. Release.
Again—breathe in. Hold. Let go.
Now say: “All my cells are happy, healthy, and full of light.”
Or “full of love” or “life”—whatever resonates. Say it a few times. Notice any shift.
Even if you don’t believe it, give yourself permission to try.
The Role of Self-Care, Tribe Healing, and Shared Presence
Josef Kreitmayer
That was amazing. I felt my shoulders relax immediately. Even during the stress of running the summit, those minutes shifted something in me.
Peggy Schirmer
And every time I guide others, I remember to do it for myself too.
Healing isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection—within ourselves and with others.
I believe the future of healing is tribal, not individual.
Gut Feeling Exercise and the Gift in Disguise
Peggy Schirmer
Now, in this calm state, ask your body a question.
Think of your most bothersome symptom and ask: “How does this symptom serve me?”
Let the answer arise. Write it down if that helps.
Josef Kreitmayer
For me, it shows I need to eat better and sleep more. My symptoms are showing me what I’ve been ignoring.
Peggy Schirmer
Exactly. This shift—from judgment to curiosity—creates partnership with the body. That’s where healing begins.
Resources and Programs for Deeper Healing
Josef Kreitmayer
You mentioned your programs earlier. Can you share more?
Peggy Schirmer
For beginners, I recommend the One Week Stomach Healing Challenge. It’s practical and gives digestion a break.
For deeper work, there’s the 21-Day Gut Healing Adventure—holistic, playful, and emotionally deep. Healing doesn’t have to be heavy; it can be joyful.
I also share many reflux-focused videos on my YouTube channel, Gut Feelers.
Final Message: Your Body Is Not Broken
Josef Kreitmayer
Before we end, is there a final message you’d like to leave?
Peggy Schirmer
Yes. Your body is not broken.
It’s a gift. Everything happening in your body is guiding you toward more alignment, joy, and truth. There’s nothing to feel ashamed of.
Josef Kreitmayer
Beautifully said. Thank you so much, Peggy. And thank you to everyone watching.
